A Streetcar Named Desire: Ubuntu Theater Project opens its run of the Tennessee Williams classic about envy, power and betrayal and what happens when Blanche Dubois finds her way to her sister’s doorstep. [8 p.m., Alice Collective, 272 14th St., Oakland]

West Side Story: San Francisco Symphony plays Leonard Bernstein’s score live at the film screening, the first of three performances led by David Newman. [8 p.m., Davies Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]

Modern Cinema: The fifth season of the 18-day program presented by SFFILM and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art begins with a focus on French director Claire Denis, screening 2002’s “Friday Night,” described as “a celluloid dream of Paris after dark.” [7 p.m., Phyllis Wattis Theater, SFMOMA, 151 Third St., S.F.]

Ethnicity and Culture that Harmonize with African Genealogy: The African American Genealogical Society of Northern California hosts the research session in which participants can find out about long-lost family members. [10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Main Library, Computer Training Center, fifth floor, 100 Larkin St., S.F.]

Castro Art Walk: Ten establishments in the Castro open their doors with special displays and programs for the “First Thursday” event. [6 to 9 p.m., in and around Castro, Market, 17th and 18th streets, S.F.]

Brainstorm: A show of geometric works by self-taught artist Johnny “Ace” Acerno — part of SF “First Thursday” art walks — opens with a party. [8:30 to 11 p.m., Public Barber, 871 Geary St., S.F.]

Jenny Lemons: The retailer of hand-painted and block-printed women’s clothing and home goods opens a new store with a party and Valentine card-making activities. [6 to 9 p.m., 3043 24th St., S.F.]

FRIDAY, FEB. 2

NPR-rated Comedy: Hosted by San Francisco comic Kevin Whittinghill, the show takes jabs at the programming style of public broadcasting with segments such as the LGBTQ report and “Fairy Home Companion.” [8 p.m., PianoFight 144 Taylor St., S.F.]

San Francisco Son Jarocho Festival: The sixth annual celebration of the folkloric music style of Veracruz hosts a free ritual known as Fandango de La Candelaria, “a late-night session of instruments, dancing, voices and verse.” [6 p.m., Brava, 2781 24th St., S.F.]

Dido and Aeneas and Suor Angelica: Phènix Opera Company, a group supporting local artists, opens a two-weekend run of a double bill featuring Purcell’s work about broken-hearted Dido, Queen of Carthage, and Puccini’s one-act about Sister Angelica, a woman forced to leave her child. [8 p.m., Spindrift School of Performing Arts, 1053 Crespi Drive, Pacifica]

Fran Lebowitz: Berkeley Repertory Theatre presents the funny social commentator in conversation with Daniel Handler on the topic of literature in the first of three talks on varied subjects. [8 p.m., Roda Theatre, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley]

The Nimbles: The San Francisco band plays an eclectic mix of blues, jazz standards, country-esque rockers and an occasional sampling of world music, with male and female vocals, violin, mandolin and “every kind of guitar you can think of.” [7:30 p.m., St. Cyprian’s Church, 2097 Turk St, S.F.]

Ethereal Landscape: Bay Area abstract artist Sahba Shere opens her show of new dream-like paintings, which reflect her meditations on the natural world, with a reception. [6 to 8 p.m., Themes+Projects, 1275 Minnesota St., Suite 205, S.F.]

Shostakovich Series: In the second part of the musical conversation programming devoted to Dmitri Shostakovich, the Alexander String Quartet and San Francisco Performances’ music historian-in-residence Robert Greenberg play and discuss the Russian composer’s Quartet Nos. 9 and 10. [10 a.m., Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F.]